Vol. 505 No. 3
227 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will instruct the Office of Public Works to replace the Cross of Kells to a temporary site at the front of the court house in Kells until Cross Street is pedestrianised when the N52 by-pass is com pleted; and her views on whether the loss of the cross is causing serious damage to the tourism industry in the area. [13790/99]
The decision on whether the Kells market cross should be moved to a temporary location pending the pedestrianisation of Cross Street lies ultimately with its owners, Kells Urban District Council. Dúchas, the heritage service in my Department, has advised the council that the cross should be moved as little as possible as with every move there is a possibility that it will be damaged. Accordingly, it is recommended that when the cross is moved back to Kells it should be to its final location. I do not consider it appropriate for me to comment on the issue raised by the Deputy relating to tourism in the area.
